Bill said:
> My final shot --
> Stick with S!
Now WHO'd a'thought that you'd advise that? <g>
> It still has the best set of compromises of size vs. space
> required, size vs. performance, size vs. play value.
You'll get no argument from me on that one. Agree 100%.
> I am sure that all who have tried other scales find that the play values
> change with size. If you doubt that, look at the way folks play
> with G vs. HO.
Don't quite get that one, Bill. Mind elaborating just a bit?
Continuing the Conclusion...
As you all know, I have spent the better part of the weekend mulling this
over and looking at options, particularly O scale 2 rail.
O scale 2 rail has a lot to commend it: Lots of very high quality RTR
rolling stock that would work with my KC Lines "theme". Several high quality
RTR locomotives that would also work well, a good track system with
acceptable scale sized rail, lots of supporting cast, etc.
There is one downside to O scale 2R, and it is a BIG downside: It's BIG.
Big is great, until you start trying to design a layout within a given
space. If I retreat to O scale 2R in this small room, I will end up with
about 1/2 to 1/3 of what I can have with S scale. That's a tough pill to
swallow. My current space is small enough as it is, I can't afford to lose
any more of it with upsized trains.
Yes, I "intend" to eventually have a larger dedicated building in which to
play with my trains. BUT, that is only a promisary note. It could happen,
it may never happen. What IS reality is what I have now, and that is this
9' 6" x 14' 10" room w/closet. I have already designed a nice S scale KC
Lines layout that will work right here... without having to "wait" for
future expansion to fully enjoy the models as would be the case with either
On30 Colo TOCng, or an O 2R KC Lines. This "future hope" of increased space
also places the On30 in serious jeopardy. Not to mention an obvious issue
that somehow evaded me: Every piece of On30 equipment will have to be
painted/decaled/lettered at the least, and heavily kitbashed at the most.
Not cool.
So, in spite of all the deliberation, hand wringing, and general
consternation on my part, I'm still very much interested in S scale.
What I MAY do, is modify my approach. That is, at the onset, after the joy
of discovering S scale, I soon bogged down as I tried to build a fleet of
PRS rolling stock (and they are quite time-consuming for me), as well as got
caught up kitbashing and modifying SHS SW's into custom painted engines,
etc.
Mistake.
Instead, perhaps I should modify the approach.. That is, consider
purchasing any applicable RTR rolling stock offered by SHS and AM, throw
some quick weathering on them, and consider them ready for service. I can
also purchase a couple of RTR engines in road names that will work. I can
then have enough stuff on hand so that as the track laying progresses, I
have equipment to enjoy the fruits of my labor. I can ALWAYS come back
later and build that RME S2 flat kit I have on the shelf into a killer KC
Terminal S2, or modify that SHS SW into a sharp looking black & yellow
striped Frisco SW... you get the idea.
Yup, I allowed myself to BOG DOWN with LOTS of small-piddly projects instead
of making good forward progress toward a goodly supply of usable equipment
and a layout. After all, I have enough track on hand to go around the room,
as well as build the 12th Street Yard scene in its entirety.
That so, there are still some priorities that must be set:
1. I have a new DCC system to learn. This will mean I will need to install
DCC decoders into whatever gets purchased, as well as the two existing SHS
SW's I currently have. Since I'm at it, I might as well go with sound,
right? <g>
2. I need rolling stock.
3. Wouldn't hurt to pick up a 1 or 2 decorated locos that can I can run with
while the SW's wait to get painted.
Now, having said that, would you believe that a few minutes ago I sat down
at the work bench MODELED???? Yup, I fixed a problem child I purchased off
eBay. You see, sometime ago I bought an undecorated SHS SW from good ol'
EvilBay. Once received, it did not perform as an SHS product should. I
traced it to the motor. Once the problem was traced, I purchased a pile of
goodies from DT that included a new motor w/capacitor and flywheels. Well,
I just got done slipping the new motor into the problem child and PRESTO:
Smooth as silk... just like my original SHS SW. (Good job on these engines,
DT!)
So there you have it. I may still pursue my S scale idea, but with a
different approach. All of this typing and pontificating over the weekend
has very likely saved me a bunch of $$ that could have been spent exploring
O 2R that can now be put into furthering my S scale effort. Way to go
guys!! (????)
Andre Ming
Making The S Scale List Miserable from Patootey, OK
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